DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 8
SUBJECT:
Medical Center Infrastructure Improvements along Floyd Curl
SUMMARY:
An ordinance for the Medical Center Infrastructure Improvements along Floyd Curl, authorizing the execution of an Advanced Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), accepting reimbursement in an estimated amount of $5,152,976.00 from TxDOT for construction-related expenses and authorizing payment in the amount of $63,918.00 to TxDOT for state oversight costs for construction, and accepting $628,000.00 from the Medical Center Alliance, a Certificates of Obligation and federally funded project, located in Council District 8.
BACKGROUND:
In an effort to increase safety for pedestrians, especially around highly traveled pedestrian areas and transportation sites, the City submitted for funding from the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) for improvements on Floyd Curl as a continuation of improvements in the Medical Center which have been ongoing since 2003 and have been constructed in nine phases. Projects were submitted that supported the Transportation Alternatives Program’s (TAP) intention to promote non-motorized transportation as an integral part of the overall transportation system. Projects also were submitted for which the local funding portion of the project costs would leverage existing projects and not require additional allocation of funds in the City’s budget.
Floyd Curl Drive is identified as a “Green Street” in the 2014 Medical Center Master Plan and was selected by the AAMPO to be funded. This project includes the construction of a two-way cycle track along the approximately three miles of Floyd Curl Drive. The track consists of a concrete sidewalk which will have a painted median, dividing the sidewalk to allow for bicycle traffic in two directions. It also includes landscaped medians and a trail head to connect the off-road trail system. Pedestrian safety monument signs are included in this project to enhance transportation safety to and within the Medical Center. In addition to the federal contribution, the Medical Center Alliance will be funding approximately $628,000.00 for construction-related expenses. The remaining Project expenses will be the responsibility of the City of San Antonio and are budgeted from Certificates of Obligation. Project construction is anticipated to begin in August 2016 with an estimated completion date unknown until the Medical Center Alliance has an opportunity to determine the extent of the project given the amount of funding available. Construction activities will take place six days a week, sunrise to sunset.
Previous Council Action
On August 21, 2014, City Council approved ordinance 2014-08-21-0615 which allowed for the submission of five projects to the AAMPO for consideration of funding. The AAMPO announced the Medical Center Infrastructure Improvements along Floyd Curl as a selected project on January 26, 2015.
ISSUE:
This ordinance for the Medical Center Infrastructure Improvements along Floyd Curl, a Certificates of Obligation and federally funded project, located in Council District 8, authorizes the execution of an Advanced Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), accepts reimbursement in an estimated amount of $5,152,976.00 from TxDOT for construction-related expenses and authorizes payment in the amount of $63,918.00 to TxDOT for state oversight costs for construction, and accepts $628,000.00 from Medical Center Alliance for construction related expenses.
Floyd Curl Drive is identified as a “Green Street” in the 2014 Medical Center Master Plan and this project will provide for a two-way cycle track, pedestrian facilities, trailhead, landscaping and signage in the Medical Center area along Floyd Curl.
This is a Local Agency Management (LAM) Project, which allows for City of San Antonio TxDOT-trained employees to manage a construction project with federal funding administered by TxDOT. The Project is located in Council District 8, funded by the Federal Highway Administration, the Medical Center Alliance and Certificates of Obligation.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to approve the Advanced Funding Agreement; however, by not approving this item, the City will lose the opportunity of receiving funding from TxDOT and the Medial Center Alliance for the construction of this project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes acceptance of funds from TxDOT for reimbursement of construction costs up to a total of $5,152,976.00 in federal funds allocated to the City from TxDOT and administered by TxDOT as a federal pass through grant associated with the construction of the Medical Center Infrastructure Improvements along Floyd Curl. The match for this project is $663,024.00 and the City also will pay $63,918.00 for state oversight fees. This brings the total cost to $726,942.00. Of the $726,942.00, the City will pay $98,942.04 and the remaining $628,000.00 will be paid from Medical Center Alliance. This ordinance also authorizes acceptance of funds from Medical Center Alliance in the amount of $628,000.00.
The City’s total cost will be $98,942.00. This is one-time capital improvement expenditure to TxDOT for the Medical Center Infrastructure Improvements along Floyd Curl Project. Funds are available from certificates of obligation and are included in the FY 2015 - FY 2020 Capital Improvement Program.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance for the Medical Center Infrastructure Improvements along Floyd Curl authorizing the execution of an Advanced Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), accepting reimbursement in an estimated amount of $5,152,976.00 from TxDOT for construction-related expenses and authorizing payment in the amount of $63,918.00 to TxDOT for state oversight costs for construction, and accepting $628,000.00 from Medical Center Alliance for construction related expenses.